Jacqueline Johnson receives CTO Legacy Award

The Caribbean Tourism Organization has honored Jacqueline Johnson with its Legacy Award as the CTO Foundation nears 30 years of funding education for future tourism leaders. The recognition spotlights Johnson’s long-running role in scholarships, mentorship and destination marketing across the Caribbean.

Why it matters: - The award recognizes a three-decade effort to strengthen Caribbean tourism by investing in education and leadership development. - The CTO Foundation has used scholarships and study grants to help build the region’s next generation of tourism professionals. - The recognition also highlights the growing link between tourism competitiveness and workforce training in the Caribbean.

What happened: - The Caribbean Tourism Organization presented Jacqueline Johnson, CTC, with the Caribbean Tourism Organization Legacy Award. - The honor comes as the CTO Foundation approaches its 30th anniversary. - Johnson is a founding member of the CTO Foundation Board and serves as chair of the Board of Directors. - The Foundation was established 27 years ago by former CTO Secretary General Dr. Gene Holder. - Johnson has helped advance the Foundation’s mission to support Caribbean nationals pursuing careers in tourism, hospitality, language studies and related fields.

The details: - The CTO Foundation has awarded major scholarships to 128 students. - The Foundation has also given study grants to 186 additional students. - The organization has raised more than US$1.0 million for those educational programs. - Johnson said the Foundation is grateful for the chance to invest in talented young Caribbean nationals and strengthen the industry for generations to come. - Johnson said tourism is powered by people and that education today helps improve the Caribbean’s competitiveness in the future. - Johnson is president and CEO of Global Bridal Group, a multimedia company focused on branding, media, e-commerce and destination marketing. - Johnson has spent more than three decades helping destinations build romance tourism programs through marketing, partnerships and consumer engagement. - Her career includes senior roles at Condé Nast Bridal Group, Bridal Guide and New York Magazine. - Earlier in her career, Johnson was vice president and media director at a Madison Avenue advertising agency, where she ran campaigns for major cruise lines, hotels, tourism boards and travel companies. - Johnson has also moderated international marketing forums, hosted bridal symposiums and led educational seminars around the world. - Johnson is a Certified Travel Counselor and participates in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and the Africa Travel Association.

Between the lines: - The Legacy Award signals that the CTO views education and mentorship as core tools for tourism development, not side projects. - Johnson’s background in romance travel marketing and industry education gives the recognition a broader meaning than a lifetime-achievement tribute. - The Foundation’s fundraising and scholarship record suggests a long-term strategy rather than a one-time initiative.

What's next: - The CTO Foundation is expected to continue using scholarships, grants and mentorship to support Caribbean students entering tourism-related fields. - As the Foundation nears 30 years, the organization is likely to lean on its education model to expand its regional impact. - Johnson’s ongoing leadership suggests the Foundation will keep pairing industry experience with student support.

The bottom line: - The award turns a personal honor into a broader message: the Caribbean’s tourism future depends on training, mentoring and retaining talent.